Tonight, I’m watching my favorite film,
Beside a fake electric fire…
Safe from the winter storm outside,
What more could one desire?
Maybe it’s my favorite dogs,
Who used to share this house…
Along with the countless wonderful cats
Who spent 30 years hunting THAT Mouse!
Perhaps it is the long-lost friends
Who never left me alone,
In addition to all the above,
Who made this big house my home.
Your last phone call was exciting…
Happiness fueled your voice with fire…
It seemed your life was near perfect
Compared to our conversations prior.
I never thought for a minute,
Your reason for living, lost all desire.
I missed any hint in your recent voice,
The next day your life would expire…
I overlooked your plea for help,
I will never be a guilt denier.
Still, I blame the phone connection…
Was there static or wind in the wire?
I grew up at the edge of town,
Near Davis and Thornton Roads.
The nearby rice paddies provided,
Pockets full of baby frogs and toads.
No A/C, we just opened windows
Pulling in clouds of black Peat Dust…
Winter floods in the early 50’s
Converted everything metal to rust.
So many wondrous journeys;
The majestic dirt roads I’ve walked upon…
I will forever be the valley boy,
Now the man raised up in Stockton.
I always felt my life was charmed,
In the shadow of Mt. Diablo,
In concert with every sunset
There's no better location to know.
